Thaddeus C.'s new space full of history, potential

June 10, 2007|JEREMY D. BONFIGLIO Tribune Staff Writer

LAPORTE -- Thaddeus C. and Laura Cutler still find remnants of the past throughout the 1890 building that now houses their gallery. "Let's just say we've stepped on a few cuff links," Laura Cutler says. In February, the Thaddeus C. Gallery, which formerly occupied a second-floor space in the 800 block of Michigan Avenue, moved to the building, which formerly housed men's clothing store Droege's for 89 years. The Cutlers reopened the building on the corner of Lincolnway and Michigan in May and converted the space for art, while maintaining a bit of the space's local history. Architectural details such as the embossed tin ceilings remain, while other items have found new uses. "Our front desk used to be the tailor's table," Thaddeus Cutler says. "You can still see all the burn marks from where they put out their cigarettes." The space, with its high ceilings and ample wall space, is an ideal venue for viewing art. The lighting enhances, and doesn't distract. The few pieces of seating allow for deeper reflection without interfering with the gallery's flow. And there is even a small space dedicated to the tools of the craft where an artist can pick up a brush or two. The Thaddeus C. Gallery is currently exhibiting "Muscle Cars & Calendar Girls," its second show since moving to the space. The reopening exhibition in May featured works by many of the artists the gallery represents. The space allows for some of these pieces -- from artists such as Mikio Watanabe, Jeff Faust and Karen O'Neil -- to share the venue without interfering with the rotating show at the front of the gallery. Still, after 89 years as a clothing store, the Cutlers are still faced with a confused customer or two. "One guy walked in talking on his cell phone," Laura Cutler says. "He went all the way to the back of the gallery before he said, 'You don't sell tuxedos anymore?' "